CW04 (Retired) Fernando “Jerry” Huerta, age 82, of Clarksville, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2016, at his residence.
Jerry was born September 29, 1933, in Chicago, IL, to the late Roberto L. Huerta, Sr. and Mercedes Maria Robles Huerta. He was also preceded in death by his infant son, Robert Huerta; grandson, Evan Hurt; and brother, Roberto Huerta.
Mr. Huerta was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. He was retired from the US Army, having served in Korea, Panama, and three tours in Vietnam. Mr. Huerta’s 33 years were spent serving in the 1st, 5th, and 8th Groups (Special Forces); 101st, 11th, 82nd, and 173rd Division (Airborne); 2nd, 8th, and 33rd Division (Infantry); 187th and 508th (ARCT).
He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnamese Master Parachutist Wings, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal with an Oak Cluster, five battle stars on his Vietnam Campaign Ribbon, as well as the Legion of Merit.
He was a board member of the 101st Airborne Division Association, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, and was a Kentucky Colonel. Jerry retired from Civil Service at Fort Campbell.
Funeral service will be held Monday, February 22, at 10:00 AM, at the Chapel of Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home, with Father Christiano Nunes officiating. Burial will follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West, in Hopkinsville, with full military honors. Visitation will be Sunday, February 21, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, and Monday, February 22, from 9:00 AM until the hour of service, at the funeral home.
Military personnel will serve as pallbearers.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Janice Coppage Huerta; son, Mark Huerta of Adams, TN; two daughters, Patricia (Kent) Hurt of Clarksville and Michelle (Noah) Huerta-Miller, of Chile; two brothers, Frank (Dorothy) Huerta and Ernie (Susan) Huerta; two sisters, Margie (Hugh) Tucker and Lola (Rodger) Schmidt; sister-in-law, Teresa Huerta; seven grandchildren, Rachel Robinson, Grace Hurt, Ashley Griffis, Kaitlyn Huerta, Michael Huerta, Christina Huerta, and Margarita Huerta-Miller; four great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.